What is the engine camshaft position sensor?
In fuel injected engines, the car’s electronic control unit (or ECU) must be able to determine which cylinder should fire next in order to calculate how much fuel should be injected into the engine. The camshaft position sensor helps provides the engine computer / ECU with this information, where changes are made to ignition timing and the operation of the fuel injectors.
As the engine camshaft spins, the camshaft position sensor magnetically (or optically) reads the camshaft position from a fixed location beside the shaft. This information is constantly being sent to the engine ECU and compared with readings from the crankshaft sensor. If the position of the camshaft does not match the position of the camshaft, the computer will detect an engine timing problem.
Learn more about how the camshaft position sensor works >
In the event of a camshaft position sensor failure, a new camshaft position sensor will need to be installed. In most cases, a new camshaft position sensor replacement will restore normal engine performance.
Why has the engine camshaft position sensor stopped working?
Below are some of the most common causes of engine camshaft position sensor failure:
- Age and wear: Over time, the camshaft position sensor can wear out and become damaged due to age, high mileage, or exposure to extreme temperatures.
- Dirt and debris: The camshaft position sensor can become dirty or contaminated with debris, which can cause it to malfunction or fail. Dirt and debris can accumulate on the sensor over time, especially if the air filter or other components in the engine are not properly maintained.
- Electrical problems: Electrical issues can also cause the camshaft position sensor to stop working. This can include issues with the wiring, connectors, or other electrical components that are connected to the sensor.
Symptoms of a faulty camshaft position sensor:
- Loss of engine power – A faulty camshaft position sensor can cause a reduction in engine power to occur. When the sensor is sending incorrect information, the ignition timing will be off and combustion will not happen as effectively.
- Engine misfires – If the camshaft position sensor is faulty or fails, it can cause the engine to misfire or stall. This is because the ECU relies on the information provided by the sensor to determine the correct timing for fuel injection and ignition. Over time, this can cause damage to your engine if left untreated.
- Car jerking / shaking – If the camshaft position sensor fails while you are driving, you may experience rough shaking, jerking, and stalling.
- Ignition is prevented – Some vehicle models may prevent the ignition from starting the engine in the event of a camshaft position sensor problem. Other vehicles may limit the transmission to first or second gear (limp mode), resulting in a significant loss of power. This helps prevent further damage to the engine due to incorrect timing.
- Check engine light on – If the camshaft position sensor fails, it can trigger the check engine light to come on. This is because the ECU detects a problem with the sensor and registers a fault code.
- Bad fuel economy – If the camshaft position sensor is not functioning properly, it can cause the engine to run inefficiently, which can lead to poor fuel economy.
New Camshaft Position Sensor or Diagnostics in Hamilton
Is your car’s engine in need of a new camshaft position sensor or do you need diagnostics to to determine if your camshaft position sensor is faulty? If so, we can help!
At Grimmer Motors, our talented, trust worthy mechanics can provide your vehicle with a camshaft position sensor replacement. This will allow for your engine to ignite its air/fuel mixture at the right time and improve engine performance and reliabliity.
For new a camshaft position sensor or diagnostics and repairs in Hamilton, contact Grimmer Motors today!